The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-28
THE PHOENIX PARK MURDERS.
The Disclaimer of Parnel and Others Said
to Have Been Inspired by Chamberlain.

to Have Been Inspired by Chamberlain.
LONDON. April PA curious story is current
here, to the effect that the famous document
repudiating the Phoenix Park murders. which.
was issued over the signatures of Messrs. Par
nell, Davitt and Dillon, Immediately after the
assassination of Cavendish and Burke,
formulated upon the advice and with the assist
ance of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain. The RESPONSE
bilty for this addition to the already voluminous
and conflicting history of the Phoenix Park
tragedy is ascrlbea to the widow of gentleman
who was at that time prominent Irish politi-
clan, who asserts that her husband, on the day
that the murders became known, called at Mr..
Parnells room, and found him in conference
with Mr.. Cham berlain. Shortly afterward. she
alleges, Messrs. Dillon and Davitt arrived, and
next day the memorable document disclaming
any connection or sympathy with the assassina-
tlon made its appearance. Coupled with this
tale is the assertion that it was entirely due to
Mr.. Chamberlain's advice that Messrs Parnell
and O'Shea were at that time dissuaGed from
acting upon their resolve to permanently retire
from public and political pursuits.
An Important Statement by Mr.. Gladstone
LONDON, April 2z-It has transpired that Mr..
Gladstone in his speech at the dinner given by
the Labor members of Parliament, last night.
declared his entire disbelief in the accusations
against the Irish leaders Mr. Gladstone said
that in May, 1882, Immediately after the assassi-
nation OF Lord Frederick Cavendish and Under
Secretary Burke, in Phoenix Park Mr. Parnell
wrote him letter in reference to that crime.
The contents of the letter, which was obviously
written under great mental distress. throw con-
siderable light upon the topics Of the present
hour, and were strong evidence in favor of the
contention that the Tmes's letter was base,
malicious forgery. Mr.. Parneil, apparently
foreseeing that in the public mind he would be
associated with the crime, offered to place him.
self without reserve in Mr. Gladstone's hands
He wrote that he regarded the murders with the
utmost abhorrence and offered to resign the
leadership OF the Irish party and retire alto
gether from political life if Mr.. Gladstone con-
sidered such step advisable in the interests of
Ireland. Mr.. Gladstone said he would refrain
from saving what reply he made. adding that it
was only short time since ne obtained Mr..
Parnells assent TO his mentioning the matter.
Abiding TO the advice rendered Parnell from
certain quarters that he bring action against the
Times, Mr.. Gladstone said that many years ago.
when Commissioner of the Ionan Islands, the
| Times bitterly attacked him, accusing him of
| treason On returning to England he consulted
| the famous lawyer Freshfield, with view to
| bringing action but was dissuaded from taking
| legal steps, the lawyer expressing the conviction
| that even if Gladstone proved his case, jury,
! in the then state of the public mind, would be
| likely to convict the Times.
MIR. Gladstone's statement has caused alb
| sorbing sensation in the clubs, but has not yet
| appeared in the press. Tho Conservatives talk
| of challenging the production of the letters.